The holidays shouldn’t be too difficult this year. What with politics, the virus, and our betters telling us not to celebrate, what could possibly go wrong? Here I am the day before Halloween (cancelled in Los Angeles, but going on, nevertheless) writing about Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ah, the foibles of monthly deadlines.
Although other countries claim to celebrate Thanksgiving, it is truly an American tradition, giving thanks to our deity for the abundance of the harvest. That could be a little difficult for some this year, but I think that if you take things in stride, you might be able to eek out a few thanks. Perhaps if you view it from a global point of view. Quote John Stossel:
Remember: The most important parts of life happen outside politics.
Love, friendship, family, raising children, building businesses, worship, charity work — that is the stuff of life! Politicians get in the way of those things. But despite the efforts of power-hungry Republicans and Democrats, life gets better.
You may not believe that. Surveys show most people think life is getting worse.
But it isn’t, as Marian Tupy and Ron Bailey point out in their new book, “Ten Global Trends Every Smart Person Should Know.”
“Child labor was once ubiquitous. Now it’s limited to a few countries in Africa. Women did not have a vote (until New Zealand granted it at the end of the 19th century). Today, women vote everywhere except for the Vatican,” Tupy reminds us.
“Gays and lesbians, persecuted for millennia, are free to marry. Slavery was universal; now it is illegal. The world has never been more peaceful, more educated and kinder.”
But the nastiness of today’s politics may stop progress! Make life worse!
It’s possible, but “worse” compared to what?
I’ve lived through the Vietnam War, a military draft, 90% income tax rates, price controls, indecency laws, widespread racism and sexism, Jim Crow, the explosion of crime in the 1970s…
Overall, life got better.
Think about it, we can give thanks.
But will we lose the magic of Christmas? Only if we let it happen. Christmas is a time of love, a time of giving, a time of worship, a time of celebration. Are we going to let a combination of fear and our betters stop two millennia of history and a way of life?
I suggest that cancelling the holidays would be worse than any horror that might happen if we don’t. Sure, be reasonable, thoughtful, take precautions when necessary. But then carry on. Decorate your home. Buy those gifts. Prepare a feast and serve it. But don’t ever forget…
Don’t forget just what Christmas is all about. Why we decorate, give gifts, celebrate and feast. Don’t forget, you Christians, that baby in the manger, the magic of the angels and the wise men, the shepherds and the cattle lowing. Did it really happen on this date? Did the celebration of the birth and all the trappings come from a pagan rite? Who cares?
It’s all about wonder, magic, and belief. You either have it or you don’t.
At this time of year, all of us at Parking Today wish everyone, Christian and Jew, Muslim and Buddhist, believer and non, the most happy, magical, and wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas to one and all.
I have become so disheartened with the news and other programs on television that I simply cannot continue to watch them. They are so filled with vile, on all sides, that they send me into a fit of depression. So, I have found “MeTV” and reverted to the programs I watched ‘back in the day.”
I recently rediscovered “Monk” and Tony Shalhoub as he and his group deal with his obsessive-compulsive disorder and solve mysteries. It’s sometimes poignant, mostly funny, and doesn’t make you think. What a relief.
Then there’s Love Boat. It’s the most underrated program on television. It features actors who are reaching the ends of their careers, but still have it. It’s fun, doesn’t take itself seriously, and almost always leaves you feeling good, almost. From time to time they will drop in an episode that does jerk a few tears, just to keep you on your toes.
How about Perry Mason? How can you not be taken by Perry, Della, Paul, and even poor DA Hamilton Burger who just can’t seem to get it right, but nevertheless is honorable? Yes, the production company was honorable, too. Although extremely ill, Ray Collins, Lt. Tragg, was kept on the cast as long as possible, and then his name was listed in the titles to keep his morale up and to ensure he received his union medical benefits.
And how about Cannon? I like it because it was shot all over Southern California and you can recognize many of the locations. And it proves you don’t have to be slim and tall, and handsome to be a successful detective and sometimes get the girl. I met William Conrad (Cannon) when they filmed an episode in my home town. He came up and introduced himself. “Hi, I’m Bill Conrad” and stuck out his hand. Most of these guys won’t give you the time of day. Oh, and they needed a location for a newspaper office. Mine didn’t look enough like one, so they used the local museum instead.
I sometimes refer to lines from the “Big Bang Theory” here on the blog. Sheldon’s “Oh, Gravity thou art a heartless bitch.” Or George Takei when asked how he could possibly know anything about man/woman relationships quips “I read.” Can you sing “Soft Kitty?” It helps if you are a gamer, or a sci-fi nerd, or have some knowledge of physics to get some of the in jokes, but let’s face it, any program that can have the late Stephen Hawking playing himself as a recurring character can’t be all bad.
I recommend these and other shows of the era, some long gone, some barely into reruns, to you as a relief from the awfulness that surrounds us today.
